EPA plans to ban some rodent poisons

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is moving to ban the sale of some popular rat and mouse poisons, such as D-Con and Hot Shot — in an effort to protect children and pets.

The Environmental Protection Agency says it is taking the step to reduce the thousands of accidental exposures of children that occur every year from rodent-control products.

The EPA gave pesticide manufacturers until last week to research, develop and register new products that would be safer for children, pets and wildlife. Since the call for new safety standards in 2008, the agency said some manufacturers have released products with new bait delivery systems and less toxic baits.

But some companies have advised the agency they will not adopt the safety measures and the EPA ban is targeting them.